Yes, there’s rain in the forecast

From staff reports

Published
5:48 pm CDT, Friday, May 11, 2018

"It will be hot Saturday with widely scattered thunderstorms possible over the eastern Permian Basin and the Stockton Plateau. Some of the storms could produce strong winds, if not a dry lightning strike or two."

"It will be hot Saturday with widely scattered thunderstorms possible over the eastern Permian Basin and the Stockton Plateau. Some of the storms could produce strong winds, if not a dry lightning strike or

"It will be hot Saturday with widely scattered thunderstorms possible over the eastern Permian Basin and the Stockton Plateau. Some of the storms could produce strong winds, if not a dry lightning strike or two."

"It will be hot Saturday with widely scattered thunderstorms possible over the eastern Permian Basin and the Stockton Plateau. Some of the storms could produce strong winds, if not a dry lightning strike or

For those who will take any chance of rain the National Weather Service will provide, then the seven-day forecast will get your attention.

The National Weather Service is a calling for a chance of precipitation during six of the next seven days, and while the NWS doesn’t offer a high probability on any one day, it is like the old saying goes, “so, you’re saying there’s a chance.”

The National Weather Service is reporting 0.32 of an inch of rain this year for Midland. That figure is well short of the 2.92 inches that is normal through May 11. The dry conditions, which actually go back to October of last year, have had an impact on the region. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of its May 10 report, shows moderate, severe and extreme drought conditions in and around Midland County.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index map shows conditions measuring between 500 and 700. The index, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, is used to determine fire potential. Its measurements go from zero to 800. A measurement of 800 means it would take 8 inches of precipitation to fully saturate the soil.

The NWS is calling for a 10 percent chance of showers today, and a 20 percent chance on Sunday. The greatest chance of showers (30 percent) occurs on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the NWS is calling for a slight chance. On Friday, that slight chance returns to the forecast, according to the NWS.

High temperatures up to 10 degrees above average are expected during the same period. The NWS reported a high of 102 on Friday. The mark tied the record high for May 11.